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Cher and The Eagles both had many hit songs during the 1970s, but their careers never really crossed paths. Despite that, Cher wanted to sound more like a number of rock stars, primarily The Eagles. Here’s a look at what Cher had to say about a number of her rock star contemporaries and her own rock songs.

When Cher realized she ‘wasn’t going to ever be The Eagles’

Few pop stars have been as eclectic as Cher. During her early days, she and Sonny Bono made songs like “I Got You Babe” and “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” that blurred the lines between pop and folk rock. In the 1970s, she stuck to that sound before dabbling in disco, transitioning into hair metal in the 1980s, and finding a home in dance-pop during the late 1990s. She’s remained there ever since. However, that wasn’t exactly her desire.

During a 2017 interview with Billboard, Cher got brutally honest about her own music. “I’m not a Cher fan,” the “Believe” singer said. “I just don’t think my aesthetic taste lies in her direction.” Cher said she preferred the music of contemporary rock stars such as Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Bob Seger, and The Eagles. The latter were her favorite.

At one point, Cher tried performing songs by Jackson Browne (who wrote The Eagles’ “Take It Easy” and “James Dean”), Neil Young, and Janis Ian, but the public wasn’t interested in her work as a serious artist. Perhaps the closest she got to being a rock star was when she put out the pop rock hit “If I Could Turn Back Time.” “That was OK, she said. “By that time, I figured out I wasn’t going to ever be The Eagles.”

Cher on the bright side of her artistry

While Cher isn’t in love with her catalog, she didn’t dismiss her career completely. “When I think about my life, it was a really good life,” she explained. “It was hard. It was crazy. And it was laced with amazing and treacherous and sad, like everybody’s life.” 

While Cher isn’t a big Cher fan, she still sees herself as a gifted individual. “My idea, every night before I go onstage, is that this is a gift I was given, and can give to people,” she said. “While they’re watching my show, they don’t have to think of anything else. It’s something that makes people feel good. That’s all I do — make people feel good.” Ain’t that the truth!

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The Goddess of Pop can still take a crack at The Eagles

Now, Cher’s time as a chart darling is over. However, there’s still room for her to expand her sound. In 2018, she released Dancing Queen, an album of ABBA covers. Since Cher enjoys The Eagles’ music so much, she could record an album of their greatest hits. It might not be the type of music her fans would expect her to release at this point in her career. However, many would welcome the change of pace.

After all, Cher’s best song from the 2010s was a country-pop ballad called “I Hope You Find It.” If she nailed that tune, it’s not hard to imagine her giving Don Henley a run for his money. Cher never sounded like The Eagles before, but she can change that.

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